Obesity remains one of the most pressing public health issues that the US faces today. In the recent past, concerns have been raised about the increase in the number of Americans who are overweight and obese. According to figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), between 2015 and 2016, the number of overweight Americans stood at over 93 million (2018). This number represents close to 40% of the nation’s population. The CDC is not alone in raising the alarm regarding the worryingly high levels of obesity in the country. Reporting for the New York Times, Matt Richtel and Andrew Jacobs (2018) also warned that the prevalence rate of this condition is alarmingly high. It is important to shed light on obesity so as to challenge stakeholders to move with speed in finding and implementing effective interventions. Fortunately, there are some strategies that the nation is implementing as part of its efforts to tackle obesity. Physical activity is among these strategies. There is ample evidence which links physical activity to lower risk of becoming obese. This paper addresses the specific mechanisms through which physical activity prevents obesity. To set the stage, the paper begins by highlighting the state of obesity in the US and the steps being taken to contain its prevalence. Next, the paper presents physical activity as an effective intervention, giving special focus to how it helps to combat obesity.
As noted above, the US leads the globe in the prevalence of obesity. Millions of the nation’s citizens are dangerously overweight and therefore exposed to a high risk of developing conditions for which obesity is a risk factor. For example, research shows that obesity increases the risk for heart disease and diabetes (Scherer & Hill, 2016). Through the Healthy People 2020 program, the US government shares information on the state of the health of its people. Among the issues that this program highlights is obesity and the impacts that it has on human health. According to the program, over a 20 year period, the prevalence of obesity has increased from 33.9% to 38.6% (Healthy People 2020, 2019). This increase has occurred despite the various programs and initiatives that the US government has implemented in collaboration with other stakeholders who are also worried about the rise in the prevalence of obesity. There is no doubt that the American government understands the need for urgent action. Among other things, the government uses the Healthy People 2020 program to sensitize Americans to incorporate physical activity into their lifestyles.
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The research community has established that physical activity is among the interventions that hold the key to successfully tackling obesity. For instance, Park and Cormier (2018) joined forces to examine the relationship between physical activity and obesity. While their study’s main goal was to determine how siblings affects obesity risk, the text that they authored sheds lights on the benefits that physical activity delivers. They confirmed that by engaging in physical activity, individuals lower their risk of becoming overweight significantly. Schwarzfischer et al. (2017) made a similar determination. They observed that individuals, particularly children who embrace physical activity are less likely to become obese. In their article, they go as far as to outline the best practices that enhance the effectiveness of physical activity. From the research cited here, it is evident that physical activity has been shown to be a key resource in the war against obesity. Therefore, if the US is to be successful in battling obesity, it should be aggressive in its promotion of physical activity.
Now that the discussion has presented physical activity as an effective and safe intervention, focus can now shift to addressing how physical activity prevents obesity. Jakicic et al. (2018) examined the mechanisms that underlie the effectiveness of physical activity. They reported that physical activity prevents obesity by facilitating the burning of fat. As they engage in moderate to intense physical activity, individuals are able to burn fat that would otherwise make them overweight and eventually obese. Jakicic and his colleagues also determined that the benefits of physical activity are not limited to those who are yet to become obese. They observed that even those who are already obese can gain by engaging in physical activity. By facilitating weight loss, physical activity helps to reverse the years of reckless and dangerous lifestyles which lead to obesity. It is important to note that physical activity may not be sufficient to tackle obesity. According to Jakicic et al. (2018), physical activity should be combined with nutritional modifications for maximum effect. One should also understand that there are some individuals who may be unable to benefit from physical activity. For instance, as Martin (2017) determined, individuals with disabilities are in situations which make it difficult for them to engage in physical activity. It is therefore important for such individuals to adopt alternative interventions such as healthy nutrition.
In conclusion, the millions of Americans who are obese desperately need help. They face the risk of developing serious illnesses that could devastate their health and even cause death. Physical activity is an intervention that has been linked to improved weight management. By embracing this measure, obese Americans stand the opportunity to lose weight. Lower weight will translate into generally improved health outcomes. Therefore, all stakeholders should join the American government in campaigning for the adoption of physical activity by all Americans.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2018). Adult obesity facts. CDC. Retrieved September 20, 2019 from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
Healthy People 2020. (2019). Retrieved 10 September 2019, from
https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/2020-lhi-topics/Nutrition-Physical-Activity-and-Obesity/data
Jakicic, J. M., Rogers, R. J., Davis, K. K., & Collins, K. A. (2018). Role of physical activity and exercise in treating patients with overweight and obesity. Clinical Chemistry. doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2017.272443
Martin, J. J. . author. (2017). Physical Activity, Weight, and Fitness . New York: Oxford University Press. https://doi-org.ezproxy.umuc.edu/10.1093/oso/9780190638054.003.0028
Park, S. H., & Cormier, E. (2018). Influence of Siblings on Child Health Behaviors and Obesity: A Systematic Review. Journal of Child & Family Studies , 27 (7), 2069–2081. https://doi-org.ezproxy.umuc.edu/10.1007/s10826-018-1049-9
Richtel, M., & Jacobs, A. (2018). American adults just keep getting fatter. The New York Times. Retrieved September 20, 2019 from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/23/health/obesity-us-adults.html
Scherer, P. E., & Hill, J. A. (2016). Obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease: a compendium. Circulation Research, 118 (11), 1703-5.
Schwarzfischer, P., Weber, M., Gruszfeld, D., Socha, P., Luque, V., Escribano, J., … Grote, V.
(2017). BMI and recommended levels of physical activity in school children. BMC Public Health, 17, 1–9. https://doi-org.ezproxy.umuc.edu/10.1186/s12889-017-4492-4
